Service station helmet removal??

[NordieBoy]

Generally always leave helmet on when paying, though make sure wallet and money are out when I go through door, and always make eye contact as soon as I can.

Only once have I been asked to remove helmet, that was at Fox Glacier in March. Apparently they had been robbed fairly recently by guys wearing helmets, so I had no problem in taking my helmet off (though it's a pain in the ass as you have everything just so and comfortable.......). It is their prerogative.

If they are going to make you take your helmet off then they should have a notice telling you this.
And not one hidden behind a sign by the door.
One that you can actually see before you start filling up.

The helmet is for my protection, I feel safer with it on (slipping on diesel) and anyway the customer is always right. Right?

I've only been asked to take mine off twice.
First time I told him I wouldn't fix his computer again if I did and the second time I specifically looked around for a "no helmets" sign and didn't see one and was told that it was just so they could describe you if they had to.

Hmmmm....
I think the intimidation part is that they get only a small minority comming in on bikes so helmets are a rareity. You see all these faces and suddenly there is an anonymous (anonymous! me! my bike! but everyone knows my bike!) biker in front of them. If everyone was wearing helmets then someone without one would be the one to cause discomfort.

[Odin]

If we lived in a world where people had respect and the like it would most likely not be necesary but as it is there is to many "bad" people out there. If i was pumping gas I'd prefere bikers taking there helmets off.

If people lived more by "don't do to others what you don't want them to do to you" the world would be a better place. But i guess today the motto is more like "Take care of number 1."

....Yes i remove my helmet...

[bear]

Never been asked, but if I was it wouldn't be a problem.

This topic has been covered before and it was mentioned that sometimes counter staff may ask as they have been victims of robberies before - don't have a problem removing helmet for this reason.

[Madguitarist!]

Buy a flip front.

.........from AMPS........ hehehe......

[Sniper]

I take mine off to keep in the good books

[Zed]

Do you have to remove your lid while filling your bike in your fine land?

Hi Juan, it's not compulsory to remove your helmet when filling up over here, but some service stations require that you take off your helmet when paying for the fuel over the counter. I always leave my helmet on unless the specific s/stn has a sign or sticker (usually located on the entrance door) requesting removal of the helmet. The sticker is usuallly showing a helmet with a big red line or cross through it!

I've never been asked by an attendant to remove my helmet...I have been asked to stop using my cell phone but!

[Maximus]

I take mine off to keep in the good books

Yea mate, there are enuf prejudices against "us" as there is. Also I think that some servo station employees/cashiers must get a little nervous as to security issues etc, with there being so many armed hold ups in NZ lately . . . . Its a shame that the wankers out there ruin it for us decent people!

[XP@]

I've been told to remove my open flip front in pack and save...
i walked out

[Waylander]

Havn't seen it to often here but in the states almost every petrol station has a card reader at the pump. So there is no reason to go inside unless you don't have a debit card (similar to Eftpos) or credit card. Though when going inside I usuallly just take it off cause I end up getting a coke or something to eat while waiting for a bit. Lets the ears breath and I'm a guy so what do I care what my hair does after being in the helmet for a few hours. I don't get off the bike when fueling either and no one has said anything about that to me other than Lena.

[Lou Girardin]

There's plenty of gas stations/supermarkets, whatever. If one pisses you off go elsewhere.
Like the Countdown store that wouldn't accept my firearms and drivers licences as ID. I had to have one of theirs. They apparently thought that their checking processes were better than the cops. I left the trundler, groceries etc in the checkout and left. They haven't got a cent of mine since.

[Biff]

I'm with you on this one Juan. I never took my helmet off when fuelling up in the UK, and never experienced any difficulties until the last month or so before I left to come to NZ.

I fuelled up at a Tesco and as I finished I heard a voice over the forecourt speaker squawk something. I didn't quite hear what was said due to the fact that I was wearing ear plugs and my helmet at the time. I then entered the shop in order to pay and a spotty arrogant fuckwit behind the counter insisted I removed my helmet before I paid. I said no, won't do it, he said then he'd phone the police. I said go ahead, left my 10 pounds on the counter and walked out.

While I understand that there may be some security concerns, if he was that bothered then he should not have armed the pump until I took my helmet off, and the spotty prick shouldn't have been so arrogant and condescending.

Maybe he just thought I was going to beat him around the head with a ten pound note I had in my hand when I entered the shop?

I've never taken my helmet off here either. But in all honesty if any petrol station was that concerned, particularly if they'd been hit before by some thieving scum, then I probably would take the effort to remove my lid out of courtesy.

[Flyingpony]

Here's what I do:

1. Ride into station
2. Place bike on side stand
3. Lock steering wheel (Edit: I meant handle bars )
4. Remove gloves
5. Proceed to fill up tank

Murphy's law would state that if I were to place my helmet on the bike seat or the ground, I'd either:

1. Drop it.
2. Accidently kick it
3. Spill petrol on it

Once done, I fetch my credit card and proceed to slowly walk towards the doors fiddling with my helmet & stuff. It's all timed so it's off just as I enter the shop doors.

What gets my wick , are those attendant boys wanting to close my fuel cap as I hang up the pump. Hand's off boys!

Have you all noticed that pump hoses are getting shorter now-a-days?
With the car if I end up in the wrong lane, the nozzle won't reach anymore unless I have to crawl out of the passenger side. This is becoming an OSH issue.

[Jonty]

I actually remove my helmet out of courtesy. I used to work in at Caltex in my student days and always felt a little uneasy when someone come in with a helmet late at night. Also, for me it feels a little strange wearing a helmet inside especially if you you need to speak to people.

I have no problems with people who prefer not to mind you.

[Deano]

I would only consider removing my helmet late at night.

If they want my money then make it easier for me to hand it over, not harder.

The day I get asked to remove my helmet is the day I throw my money through the door, or use the night pay drawer.

[White trash]

Anyone walking around in the bike shop wearing a helmet, is destined to be ignored untill the find the courtesay to remove said lid.

Of course, nothing to say that's not the effect they're after.